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Florida State lands commitment from 2021 cornerback Kevin Knowles II

Three-star cornerback Kevin Knowles II on his junior day visit to FSU on March 7, 2020.(Photo: Wayne McGahee III/Democrat)

Florida State added to its 2021 recruiting class Monday as three-star cornerback Kevin Knowles II announced his commitment to FSU.

"Although the pandemic that we are going through has caused many complications, I believe that this process was great; I was able to make meaningful bonds and express my future goals with everyone who participated in this process," Knowles posted on his Twitter account.

"With that being said, I want the nation to know that I'm committing to Florida State University."

Knowles, measuring in at 5-foot-10, 168 pounds, is the No. 36 cornerback and the No. 510 overall recruit in the 2021 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

FSU was one of the first major schools to offer Knowles. The previous coaching staff extended him an offer last October. He made his first visit to FSU to see head coach Mike Norvell and the FSU new coaching staff days before in-person recruiting was shut down in March.

He chose the Seminoles over a strong list of other schools including Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Florida and Miami.

As a junior at Hollywood (Fla.) McArthur, Knowles had six interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 45 tackles over his 2019 season.

Knowles is the second defensive back to commit to FSU in less than a week, joining four-star Hunter Washington out of Katy, Texas. He's the seventh player to commit to the Seminoles' 2021 class and his commitment moves FSU up seven more spots in the recruiting class rankings to No. 32.

What stands out

At 5-foot-10, 168 pounds, Knowles still has some growing into his frame to do. But even while he's still undersized, his film showcases his impressive versatility as a playmaker.

The majority of his film shows him at cornerback, but he also mixes in some reps at safety. He plays comfortably both in press and off-man coverage at cornerback.

He has impressive identification skills, both in reading the quarterback's eyes and putting himself in position to make the play. He also has the ball skills to back this up with a number of impressive aerial catches to come away with interceptions.

While a bit undersized at the moment, he's not afraid of contact. In fact, a few ferocious highlights showcase his potential upside as a big-hitter and a sure tackler.

Reach Curt Weiler at cweiler@tallahassee.com or follow him on Twitter @CurtMWeiler.